REAL ESTATE

Our Real Estate Team of Lawyers and clerks appreciate that your property transaction deserves focus, attention, detail, forethought, guidance and efficiency. We are there from before you sign the agreement of purchase and sale, to searching title and conducting off-title searches (e.g. taxes), to meeting with you to sign what most likely is your largest asset transaction, to attending to the actual closing. With experience of closing transactions for over the past 15 years, we have nearly seen it all. Allow our experience to guide, advise and attend to your transaction from start to finish.

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer

Our office has extensive experience in commercial real estate. This includes the purchase, sale, financing and leasing of commercial properties. Commercial properties can best be described as one intended to operate a commercial activity out of, or a residential property with four (4) or more dwelling units.

We have acted for banks, landlords, tenants and franchisors on commercial property transactions that have included shopping plazas, mixed use, industrial, office and farm land and commercial condominiums.

We can do more than just close your transaction. Before you sign your agreement, come see us to discuss legal structures and things to take into consideration in order to reduce your risk of loss, and ambiguity in the documents.

Residential Real Estate Lawyer

We have extensive experience in closing house deals. Having acted on the purchase side, the sale side, the borrower side and lender side of freehold homes, high rise condominiums, townhouse condominiums, leases and co-ops.

We also have acted on vacant lands, cottages and waterfront property transactions.

We have been in the community for over 15 years and have built strong relationships with lending institutions, real estate agents, brokers, surveyors and planners.

The Hummingbird Difference

Our offices in Yorkville and Vaughan service south-western Ontario with most of our clients coming from Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area.

Experience

We are proud to have a Law Society of Ontario Certified Specialist in Real Property at Hummingbird Lawyers.

The Law Society of Ontario advises the public:

“When you hire a Certified Specialist, you are hiring a lawyer who is recognized and experienced in his or her field of law and who has met high standards. A group of Certified Specialists talks about the value that certification provides to the public — and to the legal profession.”

When it comes to your real property transaction, you want to be able to call your lawyer and ask questions and have them answered in a way that puts you at ease. Experience comes with practice and we have been practicing for a long time. We have handled all sorts of transactions, from simple to the highly complex.

We not only care about our client’s transactions but also our clients. Our Google Reviews speaks volumes. We are proud to serve our clients and their real estate needs.

Real Estate Lawyer Team

There are many moving pieces to take into consideration when acting on a real estate transaction. At Hummingbird Lawyers, we have proactive, intelligent and caring lawyers, clerks and assistants who go above and beyond to ensure that your real property transaction is attended to correctly and in a timely manner.

Process

At Hummingbird, we take our business seriously. We have invested in crafting business and software systems that ensure the process of transacting in real estate is managed properly and with the highest attention to detail.

We use digital retainers, and provide you with free digital access to software for you to plan your move, so you can update your utilities, property tax, driver’s license and health card all at once. We strive to make the process of dealing with real property as streamlined and efficient as possible.

Cost

The cost of a real estate transaction really depends on the complexity of the deal. Residential purchases and sales, with a mortgage from an institutional mortgage, are typically charged with a flat-rate fee. If the transaction is complex, such as the acquisition of a commercial plaza with multiple tenants along with financing from a second-tier lender, these would typically be charged as a mix of flat-rate billing and hourly in the event a particular stage in the transaction strays off course and additional time is expended resolving it.

We don’t lose sight that a typical transaction is now ranging in the millions of dollars. Knowing the effects of easements, encroachments, zoning, and other matters that can affect your use and enjoyment of your property, you want to be sure that you know all there is to know about your land. Given what is at stake, cost is a factor, but it shouldn’t be the only factor.

Full Suite of Services in Real Estate Law

Over the years, doing the types of deals that we do, we get to see a whole suite of transactions and can assist you with:

Drafting and Reviewing the Agreement Of Purchase And SalesAs a written contract between buyer and seller, an agreement of purchase and sale is used for the purchase of a property. This document will outline details, such as price and a time period for closing.

Negotiating Loan Agreements and Acting in relation to Lending And BorrowingSeeking the legal counsel of a real estate lending and borrowing lawyer can help identify the different perspectives that go into financing a property.

Registering, Interpreting, enforcing and defending Property EasementsAn easement is a non-possessory right to use and/or enter into the real property of another without possessing it. Are easements forever? Read more.

Drafting, negotiating, reviewing and assisting on a Lease (Landlord and Tenant)

Private Lending

Co-ownership Agreements

Title remedies

Obtaining Road Access

Client Review

This is not the first time that I have hired Hummingbird or Andrew for a transaction. As usual, professional, prompt, expert, reasonably priced services were delivered. As I was doing a simple mortgage refinance at the end of a term, I worked with Christine for much of the transaction. She was well-informed, helpful and friendly. I will definitely use Hummingbird again!

Contact A Real Estate Lawyer Today

Contact our legal team or Andrew Fortis, Practice Lead of Hummingbird’s Real Estate Department that serves Toronto, Vaughan and the GTA. For more information about our comprehensive residential real estate as well as commercial real estate services.

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Hummingbird Lawyers strategically assists businesses and individuals in the areas of corporate law, commercial and residential real estate transactions, wills and estates, employment law and commercial and family law litigation.

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The Little Black Book Of Easements

BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Hummingbird News

Every employee has the right to a safe work environment. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) addresses basic work-related rights, which include the right to refuse work that could affect the worker's health and safety.

If you have reasonable grounds to believe that the physical condition of the workplace may endanger you, you should certainly address this.

If you believe the work environment is unsafe, and there is a reasonable threat of contracting COVID-19, you should first report these concerns to your employer. The employer is required to investigate these concerns. If you are not satisfied with the investigation, you must notify the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development, which will designate an Inspector to investigate. During the Ministry’s investigation, safety is a priority and you may be required to work away from the office.

An employer cannot force an employee to work if that employee has exercised their right not to work.

Is My Employer Permitted To Notify Other Employees If I Test Positive For COVID-19?

Typically, an employer is required to keep all employee personal and health information confidential. If an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the employer is permitted to inform the other employees of this. It is imperative that the other employees are made aware of their possible exposure. However, due to privacy law, the employer is not permitted to disclose the identity of the employee that tested positive for COVID-19.

It is important to note that an employer can require employees to report any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. These symptoms include, but are not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and/or difficulty breathing. However, a request for employees to disclose additional personal information that is unrelated to the legitimate COVID-19 related interests would not be permitted.

Generally measuring an employee’s body temperature would be classified as a physical examination. Temperature screening involves taking someone’s temperature with a thermometer to assess the risk of that individual having COVID-19.

This poses an obvious question pertaining to privacy – Is this temperature screening for COVID-19 a matter of necessity?

With the ever-increasing data and information involving COVID-19, it is evident that an infection rate is a reasonable concern. As such, it may be reasonable for an employer to implement a temperature screening mechanism.

It is important to inform the employees by way of written notification of the necessity and the administration of the temperature assessment. Additionally, the temperature screening is to be conducted in the least intrusive manner, via infrared thermometers where contact is minimal.

The Government of Canada has announced several solutions to help stabilize the economy during this difficult time. A seventy-five percent wage subsidy is available to small and mid-size business owners/employers for up to three months.

You are an eligible business owner if you are: an individual, a partnership, a non-profit organization, a registered charity, or a Canadian-controlled private corporation eligible for the small business deduction.

It is important to note that in order to qualify, the business owner/employer must have an existing business number and a existing payroll account with the CRA as of March 18, 2020 and pays a salary, wage, bonus, or any other form of remuneration to an employee

Tensions are rising in the U.S. as protests regarding the death of George Floyd have spread throughout the country and around the world including Canada.

At this time we ask that everyone show compassion for our neighbours to the south and for the families of those affected by violence as we hope and pray for a future of peace, justice, and reconciliation.

Hummingbird Lawyers In Vaughan

Ontario Law Simplified

How do Ontario’s laws affect you?

Most people will face a legal issue at some point in their lives. Some will involve normal life events, like purchasing a home or writing a will. Others can be more difficult, such as seeking compensation for injuries resulting from a work or car accident, or working out the consequences of separating from your partner.

Lawyers and licensed paralegals offer legal services to help you. These short Your Law videos are designed to help you learn how.

Law Services

Please note that during this period of social distancing and in an effort to protect both our clients and our staff, we will be closing our physical offices until further notice.We will continue to be fully operational during this time as our entire firm is able to work remotely (including phone, fax, and email).There may be some delays or changes in standard operating processes both internally and working within the larger judicial system (including other lawyers, law firms, courts, and government agencies). We will do our best to ensure that your matter is managed in the best possible manner, but we do appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. We will have an attendant at the office regularly in order to manage physical mail and other hardcopy needs, but they will not be accepting any clients at this time and will not answer any front-door requests. Thank you for your understanding – Stay safe and healthy!